Dr Who helps airport security solve sonic screwdriver puzzle

The new Doctor Who caused a security alert at Heathrow airport — with his sonic screwdriver.

Actor Matt Smith had the BBC prop in his luggage and was questioned by security officers who could not work out what the device was when they spotted it on their scanners.

A source said: "Matt's a huge fan of the screwdriver so didn't think anything of carrying it with him on the plane. It's basically just a fake prop and doesn't exactly do much.

"But going through the X-ray scanner it probably looks like a weapon, albeit something you'd see in Star Wars. Matt was very polite and explained what the screwdriver was. But the guards just looked puzzled.

"Fortunately he had some Doctor Who promo material on him so was able to show them who he was."

Smith, 27, who was flying to Belfast as part of a whistlestop tour to promote the new series which begins on Saturday, said he had become attached to the device and had broken four already.

He added: "I like to have it about my person at all times, just twirling it around and flicking it."